CPK Blood Test

CPK Blood Test, CPK is an enzyme found in the heart muscle, skeletal muscle, and brain. Creatine phosphokinase enters the blood when the heart muscle and others are damaged. when the total CPK level is elevated, it usually indicates injury or stress to heart muscle, skeletal muscle, or injury to the brain.

CPK ISOENZYMES:

• Determining which isoenzyme ( specific form of CPK) is elevated will help determine which tissue has been damaged.
• CPK is made of three slightly different substances:

1. CPK-1 (also called CPK-BB) is found mostly in the brain and lungs.
2. CPK-2 (also called CPK-MB) is found mostly in the heart.
3. CPK-3 (also called CPK-MM) is found mostly in skeletal muscle.

Causes of High CPK-1(CPK-BB)?

• Brain Injury
• Brain Cancer
• Pulmonary Infarction
• Seizures

Causes of High CPK-2(CPK-MB)?

• Heart Attack
• Myocarditis due to viral infarction
• After open heart surgery
• Heart injury due to accidents

Causes of High CPK-3(CPK-MM)

• After electromyography
• Muscle dystrophy
• Crush injuries
• Rhabdomyolysis and Myositis
• Excessive exercise, Recent surgery

Normal Value of Total CPK in Blood?

• Men: 55- 170 IU/L
• Female: 30- 135 IU/L 

Specimen Collection For CPK Test?

1. Take 3 to 5 ml of blood from the patient in the test tube,
2. Centrifuge the blood sample and use serum for the test,

Why Should I Need a CPK Blood Test?

There are several reasons why a healthcare provider might recommend a CPK blood test:

1. Muscle Injury or Disease: One of the primary purposes of a CPK blood test is to assess muscle health. Elevated CPK levels can indicate muscle damage, such as from injuries, overuse, or conditions like muscular dystrophy or polymyositis.
2. Heart Health: There are three different types of CPK enzymes and one of them, CPK-MB, is primarily found in the heart muscle. A CPK-MB blood test is often used to diagnose or monitor heart-related issues, such as a heart attack or acute myocardial infarction.
3. Monitoring Medication Effects: Some medications, like statins (used to lower cholesterol), can cause muscle damage as a side effect. A CPK test may be ordered to monitor for muscle injury in individuals taking these drugs.
4. Exercise and Physical Activity: Athletes and individuals engaged in strenuous physical activities may have a temporary increase in CPK levels due to muscle exertion. A CPK test can help assess the extent of muscle strain or damage after intense exercise.
5. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: If you have symptoms of muscle pain, weakness, or heart-related issues, a CPK blood test may help diagnose the underlying cause or monitor the progression of an existing condition.